Ah, menopause. That old chestnut. You know, if you’re born with a vagina, you’re forced to go through life-changing changes whether you want it to or not (rude!). Perimenopause, the 5 to 10 years before menopause and the permanent absence of menstruation, can be fraught with unpleasant side effects, from hot flashes and night sweats to downright unfair side effects like body odor, hair loss, and major menopausal tummy symptoms. decline.
If you really want to feel down, there are a lot of symptoms associated with menopause that aren’t really discussed, and they can seriously impact your quality of life—and not in a good way.
Before you get too excited, though, remember that perimenopause and menopause are accidental. Some women escape the transition with few symptoms, while others experience the full range of side effects.
So, what can you do to relieve stress?
A recent survey from the Kinsey Institute and Womanizer, a leading sex toy and sexual health company, found that one in 10 women masturbate as their primary way of managing symptoms. It’s so hot. Finally some good news, and maybe the glimmer of hope we’ve all been waiting for. Is the Glorious Big O the answer to the side effects of the Big M?
Read on to learn more about why orgasms are beneficial during menopause (and, honestly, at any time in your life) and what limitations there may be to their superpowers.
Why getting off the bus is good for you
“Masturbation and orgasm release feel-good hormones that contribute to feelings of pleasure and promote sleep,” says Shamyra Howard, a licensed clinical social worker and certified sex therapist. “During orgasm, oxytocin, often known as a natural painkiller, is released. Dopamine and other endorphins also help with feeling good.
Howard said the women interviewed reported that masturbation helped them relieve a variety of menopausal symptoms, such as irritability, pain during intercourse and sleep problems.
Masturbation and its potential positive side effects have been studied before, so whether you’re experiencing hot flashes or not, taking some time for self-care is never a bad thing. However, it should be noted that Womanizer and the Kinsey Institute did a study poll Women, not a study. This means they collected anecdotal evidence from participants that masturbation can help relieve menopausal symptoms, but no formal research has been conducted on the topic.
That said, the Menopause Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating health care providers and women about what to expect and how to treat perimenopause and menopause, does recommend regular vaginal sexual activity after menopause, which may include masturbation. According to their website, things like sex and masturbation are “important because it stimulates blood flow, helps keep vaginal muscles toned, and maintains vaginal length and elasticity.”
Sounds like what the doctor ordered to me.
Is this too good to be true?
sigh. But of course There is a problem. One of the little secret symptoms of perimenopause and menopause that many people experience is a loss of libido. On top of that, as you approach menopause, estrogen levels drop, which can lead to vaginal dryness and greater vulnerability to painful intercourse.
So while masturbation may help relieve some symptoms, the whole low libido/not wanting to masturbate thing may get in the way of seeing said relief (as a reminder, this hasn’t been formally studied yet).
Some doctors, like Dr. Mary Clarire Haver, an OB-GYN and menopause specialist with more than 2 million followers on Instagram, had some dark responses to the investigation’s claims.
“You. Have. Got. To. Meet. Women. Where. They. Are…” she posted on Instagram after Psychology Today published an article about an investigation promoting masturbation as a way to relieve menopausal symptoms. said. “Limiting menopause treatment to strictly reducing hot flashes is a very harmful approach because you neglect the rest of the body and mind.”
Urologist and content creator Dr. Kelly Casperon also weighed in on Instagram, expressing concern that sexual desire is often lower during menopause and moods tend to be “crazy,” while masturbation is promoted as a Treatments can be misleading. “Orgasms are really good for your body,” she said in the post. “But as a solution? No, I can’t.
Well, if orgasms aren’t a panacea, what can help relieve symptoms?
Look, masturbating and orgasming definitely can’t hurt, so don’t put that vibrator away just yet. However, there are more proven ways to help relieve menopausal symptoms.
As you approach menopause, two hormones in your body begin to fluctuate and decline: estrogen and progesterone. It’s these hormonal fluctuations that cause the oft-talked-about symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause. Unfortunately, getting off the bike does not help rebalance these hormones, which ultimately needs to happen to maximize symptom relief.
“Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for hot flashes,” says Casperon. “It beat all the supplements in the study.”
You’ll want to discuss hormone replacement therapy with your doctor, as it involves prescribing estrogen or progesterone, or a combination of the two, depending on what’s going on in your body. By taking these hormones, you replenish the hormones your body has stopped producing, thus achieving balance again, balance = systemic relief.
In addition to hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle changes such as exercise, reducing or stopping alcohol consumption and focusing on nutrition can help relieve symptoms, Casperon said.
HRT is most effective when started within 10 years of menopause or before age 60, so if you have any symptoms, now is the time to discuss this option with your doctor.
Yes, masturbating is good for you, and it has many benefits. Although there is anecdotal evidence that masturbation can provide relief to the menopausal system, it’s not a well-researched solution. HRT remains the most effective method of relieving symptoms. But… there’s no risk in giving yourself two to three orgasms a week.
